Relenza powder 5mg #20

Relenza instruction for use

You can buy Relenza here

Composition

In one rotadisk contains 20 milligrams of zanamivir, in one dose - 5 milligrams. As an auxiliary component, lactose monohydrate is present. In plastic boxes, together with the disc wheel, there are 5 rotadiscs.

Form of issue

It is available in the form of a dosed powder for inhalation, which is white or almost white in color.

pharmachologic effect

It is an antiviral drug, a highly selective inhibitor of neuraminidase, which is a surface enzyme of the influenza virus. Viral neuraminidase is able to release cells and speeds the passage of the virus through the mucous barrier to the surface of the epithelial cells, which causes other cells of the respiratory tract to become infected.
When processing the mucous respiratory tract zanamivir virus, getting on it, remains on the surface and can not get into the cells of the epithelium. If you already treat infected cells of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract, the spread of infection throughout the body stops. The drug does not enter the cell space, affecting the extracellular environment.
The drug is also effective for the prevention of influenza in adults and children older than 5 years. Compared to placebo, the percentage of efficacy ranges from 67 to 79 percent, compared with active control, from 56 to 61 percent.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

With inhalations bioavailability is only two percent. Systemic absorption is approximately 10 to 20 percent. After a one-time dose of 10 milligrams, the maximum concentration is reached after 1 hour and 15 minutes and is 97 nanograms per milliliter. Because of low absorption, the content of the drug in the blood plasma is low.
The active substance is distributed after inhalation in the tissues of the respiratory tract. The concentration of the active ingredient after 12 hours and 24 hours after the inhalation is greater by an average of 340 and 52 times, respectively, the mean value of the half-maximal inhibition concentration for viral neuraminidase. Due to the high content of active substance in the respiratory tract, viral neuraminidase is rapidly inhibited.
Accumulation of the drug, mainly by 13.2 percent in the tissues of the lungs and 77.6 percent in the tissues of the oropharynx. It is excreted by the kidneys in an unchanged form, does not undergo metabolism. Half-life after inhalation lasts from 2.6 to 5 hours. The total ground clearance is from 2.5 to 10.9 liters per hour. Due to the fact that the active substance is not metabolized, if there are violations of the liver, there is no need to adjust the dose.

Indications for use

Relenza is indicated for the treatment and prevention of infection caused by the influenza A and B virus. The drug is indicated for adults and children over 5 years of age, it alleviates symptoms and significantly shortens the duration of the disease.

Contraindications

Do not take in case of allergic reactions to zanamivir in the anamnesis. Also contraindications are:
    lactation;
    pregnancy in the first trimester;
    age up to 5 years;
    increased bronchial response to drugs for inhalation;
    diseases that are accompanied by bronchospasm;
    lactose intolerance.

Side effects

Inhalations with this drug may cause:
    skin reactions in the form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, polymorphic erythema and urticaria;
    difficulty breathing;
    bronchospasm;
    allergic reactions in the form of edema of the face and larynx;
    deviant behavior;
    delirium;
    hallucinations;
    convulsions.

Instructions for use Relenza (Method and dosage)

In the instructions for the use of Relenza indicate that the drug is used with a special inhaler called Dischaler, which goes in the kit. For patients of all ages, the same dosage is used - 20 milligrams per day. For maximum effectiveness of treatment, it is necessary to start inhalation with the slightest detection of symptoms.
The drug is divided into two methods, each of which is administered 10 milligrams of zanamivir in the form of inhalation (two inhalations of 5 milligrams). The duration of use is five days.
For the prevention of the drug can be used for ten days for two inhalations (10 milligrams of active substance) once a day. If the risk of infection persists, preventive use can be extended to one month.
To place a rotadisk in Diskhaler it is necessary:
    check the integrity of the rotadisk;
    with a mouthpiece remove the cover and make sure the mouthpiece is clean;
    For the corners, pull out the tray until it stops, so that the plastic clips come out (it is necessary that the notches are visible);
    squeeze the clips and pull out the tray completely;
    rotadisk put on the wheel cells down;
    Insert the tray into place.

For inhalation it is necessary:

    Cover the diskhaler to raise it up to the stop to pierce the upper and lower foil of the rotadisk, after which the lid is closed;
    make a full exhalation and put the mouthpiece between the teeth, while not closing the air holes on both sides of the mouthpiece, tightly wrap around his lips. Slowly take a deep breath through the mouth and take the mouthpiece out of the mouth, as far as possible to hold your breath and slowly exhale. Exhalation in the inhaler should be prohibited;
    once carefully pull out the retractable tray until it stops, while not pressing the clamps, and pushing to rotate the rotadisk into one cell, after which it will be ready for subsequent inhalation. It is worth considering that piercing the cell can only be done immediately before the inhalation.
There are four cells in each rotadisk. After four inhalations, the empty rotadisk should be replaced with a new one.

Overdose

Accidental overdose of the drug is almost impossible. With a deliberate increase in the dose, even up to 64 milligrams per day, no side effects were observed.
When parenteral use at a dose of 1.2 grams per day for five days, side effects were also not observed.

Interaction

Do not use this medication together with high-speed bronchodilators. In cases where it is necessary to apply them, they are administered first, followed by inhalation with zanamivir.

Storage conditions

Store at an air temperature of no higher than 30 degrees.

Shelf life

Can be stored for five years.

Reviews Relenza

According to reviews about Relenza, the drug has a very high efficacy, significant relief comes after the first inhalation. Side effects are rare.